Model year record

1997 MERCURY Mystique

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 100 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V230000

Electrical system

Component
Electrical system
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
342,962
Reported to NHTSA
2001-07-09
Owners notified
2001-08-29

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MY 1996-1998 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE KANSAS CITY, CUAUTITLAN ASSEMBLY PLANTS OR ON MY 1999 PASSENGER VEHCLES BUILT AT THE AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THE ROUGH SURFACE OF THE HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR'S STAINLESS STEEL BLADES CAN DAMAGE THE COPPER SURFACE OF THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. THE DAMAGE COULD, OVER TIME, CAUSE INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE CONNECTOR AND, DUE TO SUBSEQUENT TERMINAL RELAXATION, RESULT IN AN OPEN CIRCUIT CONDITION.

Safety risk

THE OPEN CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO ELECTRICAL ARCING THAT COULD MELT THE CONNECTOR HOUSING MATERIAL CREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEATER BLOWER RESISTOR AND A NEW WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V075000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
436,200
Reported to NHTSA
2000-03-09
Owners notified
2000-10-11

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). A PRESSURE CONSCIOUS REDUCING VALVE (PCRV) IN THE REAR BRAKES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CORROSION AND RESULT IN MALFUNCTION, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS THAT USE SALT COMPOUNDS ON THE ROADWAY FOR DE-ICING OR DUST CONTROL.

Safety risk

IF BOTH PCRV'S MALFUNCTION, VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED DURING BRAKING AS A RESULT OF THE REAR WHEELS LOCKING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED PCRV'S IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN SEPTEMBER 2000 TO INCLUDE 1999 AND 2000 FORD CONTOUR, MERCURY MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V103000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
605,581
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-05
Owners notified
1999-07-16

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TERMINALS AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN EXPERIENCE HEAT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF OVERHEATING.

Safety risk

THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN DISTORTION OF THE TERMINAL CAUSING AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION, PARKING LAMP, AND TAIL LAMP CIRCUITS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLAMP SWITCH WIRING CONNECTOR CONTAINING BRONZE TERMINALS AND AN INSPECTION, AND REPLACEMENT IF NECESSARY, OF THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V233000

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
175,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-09-18
Owners notified
1998-11-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FLOOR SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL CAN BE DAMAGED IF SUBJECTED TO CERTAIN INTERIOR CLEANING PRODUCTS. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR CAN DETERIORATE AND NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE ACTUAL GEAR POSITION.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT GEAR SELECTION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine9
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch494,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights465,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission475,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3
Seats3
Suspension3
Visibility: windshield3
Engine and engine cooling280,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components293,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Tires2
Vehicle speed control2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element2
Air bags1
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel194,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition162,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1165,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: brake lights194,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Interior lighting1
Power train183,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)144,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift150,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift130,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Service brakes193,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, hydraulic193,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear1
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1
Tires: tread/belt1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1

The 1996 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.